"Keimyung University and Keimyung Culture University to Integrate" ... Glocal University Innovation Plan Submitted to Ministry of Education

Keimyung University (President Shin Il-hee) submitted the final innovation plan on the 31st for the preliminary selection of the Ministry of Education's 2023 project, ‘Glocal University 30’.

‘Glocal University 30’ is a government initiative that focuses support on regional universities that break down barriers inside and outside universities, domestically and internationally, and lead the co-growth of regions and universities based on partnerships with local industries. By 2026, 30 domestic and foreign universities will be designated, with a total support of approximately 100 billion KRW per university over five years.

Main Gate of Keimyung University.

Keimyung University’s ‘Glocal University 30’ innovation plan includes educational innovation measures for reforming academic systems, departments, and majors, as well as regional-industry-academia innovation plans linked with Daegu City and local companies to grow and develop together with the region, and internationalization innovation plans emphasizing its strengths in globalization.

In particular, to be selected for Glocal University 30, Keimyung University agreed to integrate with Keimyung Culture University and presented detailed plans. The integration of Keimyung University and Keimyung Culture University is analyzed to be in a more favorable condition compared to other universities.

Since both are affiliated institutions under the same school foundation, Keimyung University, and already share a single campus, there is an advantage of achieving a natural integration without incurring significant costs.

Although there have been several discussions about integration in the past, none have been as concrete as this time. Both universities recognized the current crisis in the university community and agreed to create an opportunity to advance to the next level through integration.

The integrated Keimyung University will utilize the locational advantages of its campus and establish a Skills-first specialized campus that functions as a hub for industry-academia cooperation. Skills-first is an employment strategy focusing more on what workers can actually do rather than what degrees they hold, and it is emerging as a global standard recently.

The integrated Keimyung University plans to pioneer a new paradigm of university education by nurturing appropriately skilled personnel at various levels required by companies through the introduction of a Skills-first curriculum based on a flexible degree system, and by supporting re-education and training for employees and international students. Additionally, after integration, a system enabling flexible degree acquisition and various interdisciplinary majors will be established for incoming students, and a fusion college without departmental divisions will be operated as an innovative plan allowing cross-selection between associate and bachelor degree programs.

Furthermore, the innovation plan includes the establishment of a mobility campus to nurture talent leading the future mobility industry in connection with Daegu City’s five major new industries. Recently, Keimyung University signed agreements on regional-industry-academia-research cooperation with over 70 local governments, related institutions, and companies for the future mobility industry.

Keimyung University prioritizes establishing a sustainable industry-academia-research cooperation talent development system for nurturing innovative talent in the future mobility industry together with local governments and companies, and based on this, aims to create new jobs in the future mobility industry, contributing to regional economic development and creating an environment where talents can settle down.

If selected for Glocal University 30 this time, it is expected that Keimyung University will be able to contribute even more significantly to Daegu City’s future mobility industry together with the city and companies.

Shin Il-hee, President of Keimyung University, said, “Regional universities must develop and provide policies necessary for regional development and innovation and become the central axis of regional innovation. Keimyung University has always grown together with the region and will continue to communicate and develop together with the region.” He added, “By entering the Glocal 30 universities this time, Keimyung University will share all resources and capabilities with the local community and fulfill its role as a university that works together with the region even more faithfully.”